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23 November 1900 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Friday. 23rd [November 1900]. This morning’s post brought me a bad account of Maria. It is evident she is daily getting worse. Barbara went out this morning with Iduna Belmondo. Gertie did not appear till 11. I modelled. Had a visit from Don Antonio the priest at Vescovana—he burst into a sob on seeing me—& set me crying—& it was some time before either of us could speak– He told me how our dear Countess Pisani had died of a cholic which lasted hardly 26 hours & ended in paralysis of the heart & her death was sudden & unexpected as the Dr had not been in apprehension– He said tho’ the Bentivoglios were good & kind people it was hard for him to bear the change—their ways & ideas were so different in every way to the Countess. I said he & I are her only true mourners. I asked him to burn any of my letters she might have kept which he promised to do. He says he has sacks full of letters to look thro’ & burn. He told me that Dr Alexander van Millingen had been to Vescovana & asked for & received many of the Countess own family things & at last wrote so often for more that he had had to put a stop to it. How indelicate are people on these occasions! After lunch I took Gertie Seymer & Barbara Layard out in gondola to the Piazza & for a row & we came back soon after 4. Sir Hubert Miller & Iduna came to tea. Had amusing talk with the former—who said that for some time on first acquaintance with me he was very frightened of me– So many people have said the same that I asked him to explain what there was abt me & after some difficulty he said that my manner was so proud. How little one knows oneself! I never felt proud—only often shy & stupid. I must try & watch myself. I know I have not been attractive to Barbara Layard who is very uncongenial to me but I have tried hard to be nice to her as in duty bound to a guest—tho’ I did not want her to come & she asked me to have her—& I did not expect her to have stayed so long. I hope however she has enjoyed herself & has not found me out. Mr & Mrs Curtis & Mr Horatio Brown dined with me. Just before dinner I got a telegram from the Du Canes saying & evidently poor Maria is going to die after all– It is very very sad. | |
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